So there's a 240 with a salvaged title for sale at a small dealership but I noticed that the steering wheel pad where the airbag is was cracked in a few spots and I could see the airbag through the cracks. Is that something that I need to be overly concerned about and can it be addressed inexpensively or should I walk away ?

So there's a 240 with a salvaged title for sale at a small dealership but I noticed that the steering wheel pad where the airbag is was cracked in a few spots and I could see the airbag through the cracks. Is that something that I need to be overly concerned about and can it be addressed inexpensively or should I walk away ?

Check the car closely for frame damage. Knowing what I know about these cars, if the air bag was deployed previously and it has a salvage title, I'd keep looking for a better car as there is a good chance that one is bent.

So there's a 240 with a salvaged title for sale at a small dealership but I noticed that the steering wheel pad where the airbag is was cracked in a few spots and I could see the airbag through the cracks. Is that something that I need to be overly concerned about and can it be addressed inexpensively or should I walk away ?

There was a place in Birmingham, AL that charged $75 to place a car on a "frame jig" (not really so since our cars are unibody) and determine if the car is square.

For another $50, they would pull the car square (if not severely wrecked).

If the price is right, you might try finding a place with a similar deal.

Also, don't limit yourself to 1990-93 240's. The 1989 models are mostly the same, but without the bomb in the steering wheel. I've actually downdated my family's '92 to an '89, since it had the 1st generation bomb installed.

Check out the rest of the car and see if it is a good project. The air bag stuff isn't a big deal to either fix or remove.

I also removed the early air bag in my 93 wagon. After you remove the steering wheel, remove the clock spring and then bracket for the turn signal and wiper switches. Get the bracket from a 1981-88 model without air bag. the wiper and turn signal switches don't have to be changed. Then use what earlier steering wheel you like. I put a GT horn pad on one of my spare turbo wheels. Gave one of my friends the parts like the steering wheel, airbag, controller, and backup power supply.

Also, don't limit yourself to 1990-93 240's. The 1989 models are mostly the same, but without the bomb in the steering wheel. I've actually downdated my family's '92 to an '89, since it had the 1st generation bomb installed.

-J

Thanks John, I'm actually looking for one between 1987-93 So I definitely wouldn't dismiss the '89's and older. I thought I had found one but it sold before I could get down to see the car.

You know, something else I forgot to mention was that the shift light was on which wouldn't go out when I hit the button so I wasnt sure was if it was the OD relay or what because there was some wires taped onto the auto shifter from just underneath the knob and going down towards the tranny that someone had obviously rigged up for some reason so that left me hesitant as well. I spoke with the seller at the lot since then and he said that his mechanic got the light to go off and it wasn't the relay, but that the button has to be jiggled a certain way. But unless he took it for a drive, a I still don't know if it up shifts into fourth gear which of course leaves me rather hesitant on this car, what do y'all think ?

^Yeah, it seems the biodegradeable insulation problem ends at the firewall, and typically avoids the body harness, except the constant idle harness pigtail on turbo cars (protip: if you need to replace that pigtail, find a 1981 49 state DL or GL with the aux. air valve - pigtail is there, but stuffed inside the strut tower, looking like new)...

There was a place in Birmingham, AL that charged $75 to place a car on a "frame jig" (not really so since our cars are unibody) and determine if the car is square.

For another $50, they would pull the car square (if not severely wrecked).

If the price is right, you might try finding a place with a similar deal.

Just my .02

Given how little is adjustable on the alignment of these cars, usually alignment is all you need to know if the car is square or not. If it aligns, it's very unlikely that the body is bent. If a setting is too far out to be corrected that's a red flag.

Given how little is adjustable on the alignment of these cars, usually alignment is all you need to know if the car is square or not. If it aligns, it's very unlikely that the body is bent. If a setting is too far out to be corrected that's a red flag.

You can do a basic alignment and the car still be bent as !@#$. The front unibody bends quite easily on these cars during a crash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookieboy

So what do you guys think of the Jeri rigged shifter with the wiring going from it down to the transmission ?

It's a turd. How many times do we have to tell you it's a turd before you get the message and move on?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwood Chair

Good bones and a straight body are the problem pieces anymore, with the cars outliving their 20 year 'lifespan'.

This. This. And this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Tuttle

I think this car sounds like a problem. Is the price extremely low? Are you looking for a project? It seems like there should be other 240's for sale in CA.

Well, I don't know what happened, but my post disappeared so I'll type it again. That is indeed the car. I Wasn't trying to beat a dead horse with the tranny question, I just wanted to clarify since there seemed to be some variance of thought on that but I have decided to leave it alone and search elsewhere. Better safe than sorry.Thanks again for your time and input everyone.